Greensburg in the News Again

As the one-year anniversary of the tornado approaches, Greensburg, KS, is once again in the news. The CBS Early Show is broadcasting from there all week long. The focus is mostly on how the town is rebuilding "green" (read: environmentally friendly). In fact, some of the guidelines that have been set down for their funding include requirements for just that.

But in between all the "how to build green" stories are stories of people who are rebuilding their lives. People who are strong and tenacious. Some of those people I've known all my life. If you see the "beautiful people" photos they cycle through, you'll see the face of one woman with dark hair and glasses. I know her as Sister Helwig. She was my Sunday school teacher when I was very young. You see, I grew up on a farm about 15-20 miles from Greensburg.

I shopped at the grocery store that is now a shell. I took piano lessons from two women whose homes were destroyed. (In one photo, I could see through the roof--which no longer existed--to the upstairs bedroom where I took guitar lessons from my piano teacher's daughter. This mother and daughter also happen to be the aunt and cousin of one of my brothers-in-law.) I went to 4-H fairs at the community building that is gone. I frequently walked on Main Street, and I sat through several bake sales and sat on several parade floats on that same street. (Anyone who is familiar with the Memorial Day weekend parade, art festival, etc. can relate!) I attended services and was married in a church building that is now marked only by an empty basement. (The new church building that was built in recent years was also destroyed, but they are rebuilding.)

As I watch the Early Show, I see the faces of school students who are the children and grandchildren of people I've known, well, since I can remember. I see the residents, and recognize familiar faces among them. I attended school in nearby Mullinville, but Greensburg is the hub of the community. It is so strange to see empy lots and rubble in the place of what "once was".

If you'd like to see photos, updates, or find out how you can help, the Early Show website has all that information. Also, my other blog, Thoughts Along the Journey, has links in the sidebar.

Thank you, Early Show, for keeping Greensburg in the news. They are rebuilding, but there's still a lot of work to do...


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President Bush to Visit Greensburg Again

President Bush will be giving the commencement address at the graduation ceremony in Greensburg, KS, this year. The last time he visited the town was the week following the tornado. To read more about it, see the Hutch News article.

Spring Break

Did you know that Cancun is now considered passe'???

The spring break hot spot is now Greensburg, Kansas!

Check it out here.

More Kansans Helping Greensburg

I received an e-mail with the link to a neat fundraiser. This one is being held this weekend, and is sponsored by the Lawrence, KS, fire department. If you live near there, or will be in that area this weekend, here is a fun way you can help out the Greensburg fire department. Bowling Fundraiser

I was also given the news that, within days of the tornado, two fire trucks were donated to the fire department. One came all the way from New York!

I am constantly amazed at the ways people are helping!

What It Means to Be a Kansas Farm Girl

I miss the golden, waving wheat...the heat shimmering above the fields in the summer sun.





I miss seeing the harvest, too, as the combines churn
through those golden waves, and grain piles high in
the bin.

More Things I Love About Kansas

A bouquet of wild sunflowers, picked from the side of a country road. They add sunshine to a room...

The song of a western meadowlark on a warm, summer morning. They love to perch on fence posts, and warble their merry little tune.

As the old slogan said, "Kansas...Land of Ah's"

Things I Love About Kansas

There are too many things to list here. But I think this picture says more than my feeble words could ever express. The sunrises and sunsets are beyond breathtaking. (And yes, this is from Greensburg!)

How You Can Help

American Red Cross Midway-Kansas Chapter
P.O. Box 3726
Wichita, Kansas 67201
620-672-3651
(indicate that you want to give assistance for the Greensburg tornado victims)

1-800-SAL-ARMY
www.salarmy-mokan.org
If you go to this website and click "donate now", there will be a form to fill in for your donation. Under "donation details", donors can specify the amount they wish to give. There is also a box to fill in called "specific use". Just type in "Greensburg tornado", and they will make sure that is where your funds go.

Kansas Disaster Relief Fund
Box 1663
Dodge City, Kansas 67801
They also request that you put "Greensburg, KS, disaster relief" in your memo line.

And keep praying!!!!

For All My Friends and Family in Kansas

There is no humorous post from me today. My hometown was hit by a tornado last night. Please pray for Greensburg, Kansas, and the wonderful people there. It's hard to be in Ohio, when they're all there, trying to dig out. My heart and prayers are there, though.